Taste: Rich malt flavor to match the aroma. Caramel stands out the most but plenty of raisin and maple syrup as well. Sweet, long lasting finish.

Feel: Despite being so rich it's surprisingly light on its feet, landing somewhere around medium to medium-full bodied. Sticky and​ chewy with not much carbonation. Warming at the end.

Overall: A world classic and well deserving of it. A big English Barleywine that boasts a strong and complex flavor profile without ever feeling too heavy. Highly recommended for novice and seasoned barleywine drinkers alike.

2001 vintage decanted into a tulip pint glass. Pours a cloudy brown color with minimal head but decent lacing. Nose: initially a cognac fragrance that evolves over time to more of a port/sherry. Tastes remarkable like sherry with a slight licorice note. Interestingly full mouthfeel (almost to the point of grittiness) and only the mildest hint of effervescence. A very different, but very enjoyable experience.

Autumn 2012 edition. Pours hazy, orange-brown in color with minimal head. Taste is cognac, beachwood, cedar, and big toasted malts. Very sweet, heavy bodied, with low carbonation. Overall makes for a tasty malty sipper. Similar to other JW Lee's barleywines. I will get this again and see how this tastes with more age.

2007 bottle direct from the brewery.
Deep auburn with a thin wispy head. Yeast floaters apparent.
Rich aroma. Multitude of rum infused fruit. Alcohol is noticeable. Slightly oxidised sherry notes. Toffee. A mellifluous concoction.
The taste reflects the bouquet and more so. Very sweet.
Unctuous in nature but nevertheless has high drinkability.
A very enjoyable experience and 2008 - 2016 inc' yet to be drunk from my cellar.

March 2017 - Vintage 2008 - More sherry like in taste and aroma. Phenols are noticeable. Very low carbonation. Overall = 4.5

Pours a ruddy brown color. Completely opaque. Has lots of yeast floaters visible in the beer. No head whatsoever. Beer does have some visible carbonation like coca cola - you can see the big bubbles in the beer at first, but then they disappear.

Smell is very sweet. Figs, raisins, plums, and dark fruits on the nose. Lots of leather and sherry like notes also come through.

Taste follows the nose with lots of sweet fig, plums, raisins, and dark fruits. Sherry like notes. Beer is surprisingly sweet, almost too sweet - tastes like there is actual molasses in the beer. Touch of apple and cardboard on the finish. The oxidation is not bad in the beer, and it actually works well with the flavors, but I can't help but think that this beer is well past its prime.

Feel is full bodied. Mild to almost no carbonation. Pretty smooth.

Overall a really interesting beer - I think I need to get a more recent vintage to try because this one is past its prime. Still, even this is a phenomenal beer. An absolute must try.